Health Protection Agency launches eHealth – Online learning for healthcare professionals

16 September 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) today launched eHealth, a new online education and training service for health care professionals, exclusively for the National Health Service. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited online training is funded by the Department of Health and covers the management of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) injuries and incidents. eHealth is accessible via the HPA website – www.hpa.org.uk/ehealth. 

eHealth will contribute to a wide range of health care professionals’ ability to prepare their response to a deliberate or accidental CBRN incident.

Head of Emergency Response at the HPA’s Centre for Preparedness and Response, Roger Cook comments, “By providing health care professionals with CPD approved CBRN e-learning modules, members of this community will be equipped with the skills required to limit the risk to public health. I believe that this new e-learning tool will enhance existing training in preparing healthcare professionals to respond during a terrorist attack or accidental release.”

The eHealth e-learning modules have been designed to reflect the shift towards online learning in today’s environment and to move away from the traditional static linear approach. Modules include scenarios that help to engage the user and engender an interactive approach to learning.

Following the complete roll-out of eHealth, members of the health care profession will be able to access courses that comprise;

• Generic Incident Management
• Biological Incidents: Smallpox
• Radiological Incidents
• Burns and Blasts
• Chemical Incidents 

eHealth also allows users to register their attendance online for HPA designed face-to-face CBRN and emergency planning courses, details of which can be found on the HPA website.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. eHealth can be accessed via www.hpa.org.uk/ehealth and is free of charge to those within the NHS.
2. The training team at the HPA’s Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response is funded through the Department of Health to deliver specialist courses for health care staff.
3. These courses seek to improve the health community’s ability to respond effectively to major incidents and emergencies, such as the accidental or deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials. In addition to these courses, others have been designed specifically for the emergency services to assist them in their role as Category 1 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act. Further bespoke courses can also be designed and delivered to suit the needs and requirements of other organisations in the public or private sector.
4. The Health Protection Agency’s Annual Conference takes place at the University of Warwick from 15th to 17th September. Further information can be found at the conference website at www.healthprotectionconference.org.uk
5. The Health Protection 2008 conference press office can be contacted between 9am – 5pm on 024 765 72982; out of hours on 0208 200 4400.
   

Last reviewed: 16 September 2008